With Lionel Messi yet to pen a new Paris Saint-Germain deal, Joan Laporta left the door open for him to make a shock return to Camp Nou.
Barcelona’s “doors are open” for Lionel Messi to return to the club, according to president Joan Laporta.
Messi joined Barca at the age of 13, where he enjoyed a highly successful spell with the Catalan giants that saw him claim 10 LaLiga titles and win the Champions League four times.
Barca’s financial problems meant Messi left the club in 2021, signing a two-year deal with French club Paris Saint-Germain with an option to extend it by a third.
However, Messi is yet to agree an extension and with his current contract set to expire at the end of this season, there are rumors that he could make a shock return to the Camp Nou with close friend and former team-mate Sergio Aguero rated. the probability that Messi will return to Barca is “50 percent”.
Messi scored his 800th career goal with a stunning free-kick as Argentina returned to action after World Cup glory in Qatar with a 2-0 victory over Panama on Thursday.
Laporta says the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is welcome to rejoin Barca, telling The Business and Money Behind Sports on YouTube: “Messi is the best player in history. He was the most important player in Barca’s history.
“I have to be very careful in what I say. Messi is a PSG player and I have to have respect.
“Leo knows that we have him in our hearts. He is part of our sign. The legacy I found myself in when I became president was not good and I had to make a decision that I am not happy with. I have to find a way to improve the current relationship Messi with Barca.
“We’ll see, but he knows Barca’s door is open.
Messi’s Argentina are back in action against Curacao on Tuesday, when the 35-year-old will have the opportunity to score his 100th goal for La Albiceleste, having made it 99 in a historic strike against Panama.
